Faculty&AdministrationNews(FAN)
Volume XIV, Issue 4
August 2023
First issued in November 2009, Faculty & Administration News (FAN) is a quarterly publication of Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology (ICSST). This newsletter highlights the most recent professional accomplishments and service activities of ICSST’s faculty and administrators. Click the hyperlinks to explore the work of our faculty and administrators.
Administrative Appointment
❖ Patrick R. Manning, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology, was appointed Director of the Seton Hall University Center for Catholic Studies, effective July 1, 2023. Dr. Manning brings to this role a deep interdisciplinary background in liberal studies, education, and theology. In his scholarship, he works across the fields of theology, religious studies, education, sociology, and psychology. While serving as Director of the Center for Catholic Studies, Dr. Manning continues as a member of the ICSST faculty. More information about Dr. Manning’s appointment is available at https://www.shu.edu/catholic-studiescenter/news/new-director-named-in-the-center-for-catholic-studies.html
Awards, Grants, and Honors
❖ Reverend Joseph R. Laracy, S.T.D., Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology, was honored as Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology’s Teacher of the Year, at Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, on May 10, 2023.
❖ Reverend Monsignor C. Anthony Ziccardi, S.S.L, S.T.D., ICSST’s Coordinator for Undergraduate Admissions and Retention, and Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies, was honored with the Sister Rose Thering Award for Outstanding Service to the Sister Rose Mission, bestowed at the 2023 Evening of Roses Gala, held on Seton Hall University’s South Orange Campus, on May 30, 2023. Since 2013, Monsignor Ziccardi has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Sister Rose Thering Fund. From June 2019 to November 2020, he served as Interim Executive Director of the Sister Rose Thering Fund. The Sister Rose Thering Fund’s annual fundraiser raises money for student scholarships, while honoring those who work tirelessly to advance Sister Rose’s legacy by fostering understanding and cooperation among Jews, Christians, and people of other religious traditions through advocacy and education.
❖ Deacon Andrew E. Saunders, M.A. ’08, Director of the Center for Diaconal Formation, and Olivia (“Livvy”) Dinneen, L.C.S.W., M.A.P.M. ‘90, were the honorees for ICSST’s 2023 Judge Roger W. Breslin Cornerstone Golf Classic, held at Cedar Hill Country Club, Livingston, NJ, on June 26, 2023. Ordained in 2011 to the permanent diaconate for service in the Archdiocese of Newark, Deacon Saunders is assigned at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, Wyckoff, and is the continuing education consultant for the diaconate in the Archdiocese. Under his direction, ICSST’s Center for Diaconal Formation has an
enrollment of nearly 100 men and serves four of the five dioceses in New Jersey. In Spring
2022, Ms. Dinneen retired from her position as Director of Seminary Counseling, after having served the Seminary since 1995. Over the years, she earned the respect and admiration of the Seminary community and touched the life of almost every single priest ordained since 1995. The work of Ms. Dinneen and Deacon Saunders at ICSST and beyond has been marked by evident joy and abiding faith. Proceeds from the golf outing and dinner benefit resident seminarians who experience unexpected financial need while they prepare for the priesthood at Immaculate Conception Seminary.
Publication
❖ Gregory Y. Glazov, D.Phil. (Oxon.), Professor and Chair of Biblical Studies, published a journal article: “The Christian Journey of a Russian-Jewish Dissident Couple in the Soviet Union, Part II.” The Chesterton Review 49, nos. 1 & 2 (Spring/Summer 2023): 107-16.
Media Contributions
❖ Jeffrey L. Morrow, Ph.D., Professor of Undergraduate Theology:
o Was interviewed by Reverend Dominic Farrell, L.C., Professor of Philosophy at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, Rome. The topic of the interview was “Five Books Catholics Should Read on Principles of Catholic Biblical Interpretation.” The interview was conducted on May 26, 2023, for Father Farrell’s online podcast and website, Five Books for Catholics. A transcription of the interview is available at https://www.fivebooksforcatholics.com/principles-of-biblical-interpretation/
o Was interviewed live by Jackie Lukas on Catholic Faith Network, on the television show CFN Live, on July 17, 2023. The topic of the interview was Dr. Morrow’s recently published co-authored book, A Catholic Guide to the Old Testament. A recording of the interview is available at https://vimeo.com/847417020?share=copy.
o Was interviewed by John DeRosa for episode #240 of The Classical Theism Podcast, on July 24, 2023. The topic of the interview was Dr. Morrow’s recently published co-authored book, A Catholic Guide to the Old Testament. A recording of the interview is available at https://www.classicaltheism.com/oldtestament/
o On August 17, 2023, filmed for an Ascension Press video production on the Bible. The production has not yet been released.
❖ Reverend Monsignor Thomas G. Guarino, K.H.S., S.T.D., Professor Emeritus of Systematic Theology, was interviewed by Jake Fowler for a podcast on the website The Meaning of Catholic, on August 16, 2023. The topic of the interview was “Understanding Vatican II: Continuity and Reversals.” A recording of the interview is available at https://www.youtube.com/live/yMKPo9BsV1s?feature=share
Special Events
❖ Thirteen members of the ICSST administration and staff gathered for a retreat day, cofacilitated by Reverend Monsignor Gerard H. McCarren, S.T.D., Rector/Dean, and Associate Professor of Systematic Theology, and Dianne M. Traflet, J.D. ‘88, S.T.D., Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Administration, and Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology. The retreat was held at Villa Pauline, Mallinckrodt Convent, Mendham, NJ, on December 9, 2022. The day included time together for prayer and discussion.
❖ Since 2019, Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology has offered reflection series during the Advent and Lenten seasons, uniting in prayer during these key liturgical seasons more than 2,000 Seton Hall students, faculty, staff, administrators, and other community members from near and far. In Lent 2023, ICSST was pleased to sponsor a series of reflections titled Reflections from the Holy Land. Richly blessed, many members of the Immaculate Conception Seminary community had the opportunity to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land from December 29, 2022, to January 9, 2023. Throughout the 2023 Lenten season, seminarians and priests, as well as Seminary lay administrators, faculty, and staff, offered written reflections, delivered via email, from Ash Wednesday, February 22, 2023, through Good Friday, April 7, 2023. These meditations, which focused on the Holy Land and the events of salvation history that took place there, were accompanied by photographs taken by seminarians and priests of the ICSST community on their recent pilgrimage. Participants in the reflection series were invited day by day to allow the saving Mysteries into their hearts, in preparation for celebrating the Paschal feast.
Dianne M. Traflet, J.D. ‘88, S.T.D., Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Administration, and Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology, organized the schedule of submissions, reviewed each reflection, and authored several of the meditations. Among the other ICSST and SHU administrator authors of the reflections were Reverend Monsignor
Gerard H. McCarren, S.T.D., Rector/Dean, and Associate Professor of Systematic Theology; Reverend Monsignor Joseph R. Reilly, S.T.L., Ph.D., Vice Provost for Academics and Catholic Identity, Reverend Mariusz Eugene R. Koch, C.F.R., M.Div., M.A., Spiritual Director; Reverend Robert K. Suszko, M.B.A., M.Div., Vice Rector and Business Manager; Reverend Monsignor James C. Turro, S.T.L., S.S.L., Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies; Reverend Monsignor Raymond J. Kupke, Ph.D.,
Adjunct Professor of Church History; Michael F. Burt, Senior Director of Seminary Advancement; and Elizabeth M. Vacchiano, M.A. ’20, Coordinator of Student and Administration Support Services. The reflections are available at
https://www.shu.edu/theology/reflections-from-the-holy-land.cfm
❖ With great pride, ICSST celebrated the accomplishments of its Class of 2023 at a Mass of Blessing and hooding ceremony, held at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark, NJ, on May 17, 2023. ICSST awarded 50 graduate degrees and certificates that day to a diverse and talented group of alumni of a multitude of ethnicities, from various walks of life, and living out all types of vocations. At the hooding ceremony, Justin M. Anderson, Ph.D., Professor and Chair of Moral Theology, served as emcee, and Reverend Paweł
Tomczyk, Ph.D., Director of Pastoral Formation, and Assistant Professor of Moral Theology, delivered the invocation. Immediately following the ceremony was a reception, held across the street from the Cathedral Basilica, at the Chancery of the Archdiocese of Newark. A recording of the Mass and hooding ceremony is available at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N23pjgCRJo
❖ As part of ICSST’s Pathways 4:12 initiative funded by the Lilly Endowment, ICSST, in collaboration with the Lay Centre at Foyer Unitas, Rome, Italy, sponsored an international ecumenical symposium, held at Istituto Maria Santissima Bambina, Vatican City, Italy, from July 16 to 21, 2023. The weeklong program, titled Grace and Action: The Ministry of Catechists
in the Footsteps of St. Paul, featured speakers from across the globe who shared their intellectual perspectives and pastoral experiences. The program also included visits to historical sites linked to the figures of St. Paul, St. Peter, and other saints.
Dianne M. Traflet, J.D. ‘88, S.T.D., Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Administration, and Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology, facilitated and participated in multiple strategic planning meetings with the Lay Centre in preparation for the program.
Dr. Traflet and Donna L. Orsuto, S.T.D., Co-Founder and Director of The Lay Centre at Foyer Unitas (Rome, Italy), Professor of Spirituality at The Pontifical Gregorian University (Rome, Italy), and Adjunct Professor of Pastoral Theology at ICSST, served as facilitators of the public conference on July 17, 2023, which drew approximately 60 attendees. Keynote speakers at the opening conference were His Eminence Cardinal Giorgio Marengo, I.M.C., Apostolic Prefect of Ulaanbaatar, and His Excellency Archbishop Mark
O’Toole, Archbishop of Cardiff and Bishop of Menevia. The weeklong program included speakers from several faith traditions Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Methodist and from countries across the globe Brazil, Congo, Ghana, Ireland, Mauritius, Mexico, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom. Thirty participants from ICSST (including deacons and diaconate candidates, lay students, alumni, and collaborators) attended, along with ten participants from the Lay Centre who live in Rome. To immerse yourself in the experience of the program, please visit
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLvoKvzmSOaP4yO47TvFFZAG0sSsUEaHX
New Course Developed
❖ Víctor Velarde-Mayol, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Philosophical Theology, led ICSST’s
Department of Philosophical Theology in forming a partnership with the Stillman School of Business to run the 3-credit course PLTL 2255: Financial Ethics in Thought and Practice every semester. This course, which ran for the first time in Fall 2022, fulfills the Business Ethics
requirement for Finance students.
Teaching Outside Seton Hall
❖ Jeffrey L. Morrow, Ph.D., Professor of Undergraduate Theology, serves as instructor for the new Emmaus Academy, offered online through the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. From August 14 to 16, 2023, Dr. Morrow filmed a future online course on Jesus’s Resurrection.
Mission and Service
❖ Justin M. Anderson, Ph.D., Professor and Chair of Moral Theology:
o Volunteers as co-organizer of small circles of Catholic married couples in New Jersey. These couples meet eight times per year in one another’s homes, enjoy dinner, and listen together to a presenter via Zoom, then discuss the topic on faith, marriage, and family in their respective circles. Approximately 32 people (16 couples) attend each meeting.
o Volunteers as a guest speaker for the Sisters in formation for the Missionaries of Charity
Contemplatives, in Plainfield, NJ, delivering a series of presentations on the Ten Commandments, for one and a half hours per session, including both teaching and discussion. Dr. Anderson delivers these presentations on an approximately bi-weekly basis throughout the year. Approximately five Sisters attend each session.
o Served as keynote speaker for the Newark Archdiocesan Young Men’s Retreat organized by the Office of Priestly Vocations of the Archdiocese of Newark, and held at Liebenzell Retreat Ministries, Long Valley, NJ, on Saturday, March 25, 2023. Dr. Anderson presented three 30–50-minute input sessions. The themes were: “Dignity of Men,”
“Faith & Knowing the Truth,” and “Hope to Leisure & Charity to Divine Worship.”
Approximately 20 young men attended the retreat.
❖ Reverend Christopher M. Ciccarino,
, Associate Dean for Seminary and Academic Studies, and Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies, presented the following:
K.C.H.S., S.S.L., S.T.D.o “The Parables of Jesus: Introduction” and “The Woman in the House of Simon.”
Talks, at St. Teresa of Avila Parish, Summit, NJ, on September 23, 2022. Approximately 20 people attended.
o “The Parables of Jesus: The Unforgiving Servant & The Two Sons.” Talk, at St. Teresa of Avila Parish, Summit, NJ, on September 30, 2022. Approximately 20 people attended.
o “The Parables of Jesus: The Sower; The Treasure & The Pearl.” Talk, at St. Teresa of Avila Parish, Summit, NJ, on October 14, 2022. Approximately 20 people attended.
o “The Parables of Jesus: The Compassionate Employer & The Rich Fool.” Talk, at St. Teresa of Avila Parish, Summit, NJ, on October 21, 2022. Approximately 20 people attended.
o “The Parables of Jesus: The Unjust Judge & The Friend at Midnight.” Talk, at St. Teresa of Avila Parish, Summit, NJ, on October 28, 2022. Approximately 20 people attended.
o “The Parables of Jesus: The Pharisee and Tax Collector & The Great Banquet.” Talk, at St. Teresa of Avila Parish, Summit, NJ, on November 4, 2022. Approximately 20 people attended.
o “The Parables of Jesus: Introduction” and “The Woman in the House of Simon.”
Talks, at Immaculate Conception Parish, Montclair, NJ, on March 1, 2023. Approximately 20 people attended.
o “The Parables of Jesus: The Unforgiving Servant & The Two Sons.” Talk, at Immaculate Conception Parish, Montclair, NJ, on March 15, 2023. Approximately 20 people attended.
o Lenten Morning of Recollection to the parish staff and ministry team of St. Thérèse Parish, Succasunna, NJ, on March 18, 2023. Approximately 40 people attended.
o “The Parables of Jesus: The Compassionate Employer & The Rich Fool.” Talk, at Immaculate Conception Parish, Montclair, NJ, on March 22, 2023. Approximately 20 people attended.
o “The Parables of Jesus: The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, The Lost Sons.” Talk, at St. John the Evangelist Parish, Leonia, NJ, on March 27, 2023. Approximately 50 people attended.
o “The Parables of Jesus: The Unjust Judge & The Friend at Midnight.” Talk, at Immaculate Conception Parish, Montclair, NJ, on March 29, 2023. Approximately 20 people attended.
o “The Parables of Jesus: The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, The Lost Sons.” Talk, at Immaculate Conception Parish, Montclair, NJ, on April 5, 2023. Approximately 20 people attended.
o “The Parables of Jesus: The Woman in the House of Simon & The Unforgiving Servant.” Talk, at St. John the Evangelist Parish, Leonia, NJ, on April 24, 2023.
Approximately 40 people attended.
o “The Parables of Jesus: Introduction” and “The Woman in the House of Simon.”
Talks, at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Mountainside, NJ, on May 11, 2023. Approximately 20 people attended.
o “The Parables of Jesus: The Two Sons and the Sower.” Talks, at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Mountainside, NJ, on May 18, 2023. Approximately 20 people attended.
o “The Parables of Jesus: The Sower; The Treasure & The Pearl.” Talk, at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Mountainside, NJ, on June 1, 2023. Approximately 20 people attended.
o “The Parables of Jesus: The Compassionate Employer & The Rich Fool.” Talk, at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Mountainside, NJ, on June 8, 2023. Approximately 20 people attended.
o “The Parables of Jesus: The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, The Lost Sons.” Talk, at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Mountainside, NJ, on June 15, 2023. Approximately 20 people attended.
❖ Dianne M. Traflet, J.D. ‘88, S.T.D., Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Administration, and Assistant Professor of Pastoral Theology, presented the following:
o Brief talk on the topic “Marital Spirituality,” for a group of Catholic married couples in New Jersey, on October 28, 2022. Approximately 16 couples attended. As noted above in this report, Dr. Justin Anderson volunteers as co-organizer of small circles of Catholic married couples in New Jersey. These couples meet eight times per year in one another’s homes, enjoy dinner, and listen together to a presenter via Zoom, then discuss the topic on faith, marriage, and family in their respective circles.
o Ten online lectures on the life and spirituality of St. Titus Brandsma, for the Centre for Applied Carmelite Spirituality, Oxford Carmelite Priory, Oxford, England, on November 5, 12, 19, and 26, and December 3, 2022. Ten people attended each lecture.
o Talks on St. Titus Brandsma, at Titus Brandsma Priory, Middletown, NY, on January 12 and 13, 2023. A class of six Carmelite novices attended.
o Talk, as part of the Pentecost Project of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Paterson, NJ: “The Universal Church, Mother of All.” The talk was held at the Cathedral on March 4, 2023. Approximately 25 people attended.
o “Marian Spirituality: ‘According to Thy Word.’” Retreat, for students preparing through ICSST’s Center for Diaconal Formation for ordination to the permanent diaconate for service in the Diocese of Paterson, NJ, and for wives of these students. This lecture was held at St. Paul Inside the Walls, Madison, NJ, on April 22, 2023. Fifteen people attended.
o Commencement address, “The Blessing of Responsibility,” for Assumption College for Sisters, Denville, NJ, at St. Mary’s Church, Denville, NJ, on May 13, 2023. Approximately 100 people attended.
o Talks to the Sisters of Life from Yonkers, NY, at their Motherhouse in Suffern, NY, on June 16, 2023. Dr. Traflet’s talks illuminated the parallels between the life and ministry of St. Edith Stein and that of the Sisters of Life. Six Sisters attended.
❖ Reverend Paweł Tomczyk, Ph.D., Director of Pastoral Formation, and Assistant Professor of Moral Theology, as Censor Librorum for the Diocese of Paterson, reviewed the following future publication seeking Imprimatur (ensuring freedom from doctrinal or moral errors). This review was not previously reported in a quarterly report of faculty scholarly,
professional, and service activities: Day by Day with the Mass, by Peter A. Giersch, Catholic Book Publishing Corporation, on December 6, 2022.
❖ Patrick R. Manning, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology, and Director of the Seton Hall University Center for Catholic Studies, moderated the Contemplative Practices for Higher Education Seminar, at Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ, from January to May 2023. Dr. Manning designed the seminar, solicited and evaluated faculty applications, and facilitated bi-weekly meetings. Six people participated.
❖ Reverend Renato J. Bautista, M.Div., M.A., Director of Formation and Director of Seminary Records:
o Presented “Healthy Self-Love.” Talk, at Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Jersey City, NJ, on March 26, 2023. Approximately 45 people attended.
o Facilitated a Lenten retreat, at St. Aloysius Parish, Jersey City, NJ, on April 1, 2023. Approximately 60 people attended.
❖ Reverend Monsignor Gerard H. McCarren, S.T.D., Rector/Dean, and Associate Professor of Systematic Theology:
o At SHU’s Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony, held at the Prudential Center, Newark, on May 22, 2023, delivered the introduction of keynote speaker, His Excellency Borys Gudziak, Metropolitan-Archbishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia.
o At the invitation of the Center for Catholic Studies, participated in SHU’s Faculty Retreat on Living the Catholic Intellectual Tradition. Monsignor McCarren was present for the
full retreat day and served as celebrant and homilist for the Mass that concluded the retreat day. The retreat, for all SHU faculty, explored the history of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition at Seton Hall, how it is lived, and where it can take us in the future. The retreat included reflections, talks, dialogue, active learning examples, and time for prayer and silence. Approximately 20 people attended the retreat, held at Villa Pauline, Mallinckrodt Convent, Mendham, NJ, on June 22, 2023.
❖ Jeffrey L. Morrow, Ph.D., Professor of Undergraduate Theology, presented six lectures for the course of studies for Opus Dei Supernumeraries in the New York City area, at IESE Business School, New York City, New York. Approximately 30 people attended each lecture:
o “Introduction to Sacred Scripture, Lecture 4: Introduction to the Rest of the Pentateuch: Exodus-Deuteronomy, Focusing on the Mosaic Covenants,” on June 10, 2023.
o “Introduction to Sacred Scripture, Lecture 5: Introduction to the Rest of the Old Testament, Focusing on the Davidic Kingdom and the Prophets,” on June 10, 2023.
o “Introduction to Sacred Scripture, Lecture 6: Introduction to the New Testament and its History,” on June 10, 2023.
o “Introduction to Sacred Scripture, Lecture 7: The Gospels,” on July 8, 2023.
o “Introduction to Sacred Scripture, Lecture 8: Acts of the Apostles and the Letters of St. Paul,” on July 8, 2023.
o “Introduction to Sacred Scripture Lecture 9: Book of Revelation and New Testament Themes,” on July 8, 2023.
❖ Reverend Joseph R. Laracy, S.T.D., Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology, presented
“Lumen Gentium and Ad Gentes.” Lecture, at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Mountainside, NJ, on June 19, 2023. Approximately 30 people attended.
❖ Reverend Mariusz Eugene R. Koch, C.F.R., M.Div., M.A., Spiritual Director:
o With Theresa Bonapartis of Lumina post-abortion ministry and referral network, planned for and facilitated a training workshop for pro-life workers. The workshop, conducted under the auspices of the post-abortion ministry program Entering Canaan: A Sacramental Journey to an Inheritance of Mercy, was held at the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, Doylestown, PA, from July 17 to 20, 2023. Father Koch delivered several conferences, presided at Mass and a prayer service, and celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Approximately 50 people attended.
o Helped to organize and attended an approximately 60-mile walking pilgrimage from Great Meadows, NJ, to the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, PA, from August 10 to 13, 2023. Father Koch was responsible for the English-speaking group. Each day, he celebrated Mass, celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and delivered homilies. Approximately 2,000 people attended the pilgrimage.
o Facilitated the Canonical Retreat for ICSST student Brother Robert of Molesmes Islas, O.S.B., as Brother Robert of Molesmes prepared to profess his Solemn Vows. During the retreat, conducted from August 16 to 18, 2023, at Most Holy Trinity Maronite Monastery, Petersham, MA, Father Koch met twice daily with Brother Robert of Molesmes for spiritual direction sessions and celebrated Mass.
o Delivered a talk for Czestochowa Young Adults’ Theology on Fire series, on the topic “Behold Your Mother: Celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Czestochowa,” at the Shrine
of Our Lady of Czestochowa, Doylestown, PA, on August 26, 2023. Approximately 60 people attended.
Conferences, Meetings, Panel Discussions, and Symposia
❖ Deacon Andrew E. Saunders, M.A. ’08, Director of the Center for Diaconal Formation, participated in the Annual Convention of the National Association of Diaconate Directors, Take the Grace of the Altar to the Needs of the People, from April 25 to 27, 2023, in St. Petersburg, FL.
❖ Reverend Monsignor Gerard H. McCarren, S.T.D., Rector/Dean, and Associate Professor of Systematic Theology:
o Represented then-Provost Passerini at the conference Faith in Ukraine: A Witness to War, featuring speakers Borys Gudziak, Archbishop-Metropolitan of Philadelphia for Ukrainian Catholics in the United States, representing the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church and Patriarch Sviatovslav; Rabbi Yaakov Dov Bleich, Chief Rabbi of Kiev and Ukraine; and a Ukrainian Orthodox priest representing Metropolitan Epiphanius I of Kiev and all Ukraine. During this time of war between Ukraine and Russia, this event was an active prayer for peace. The conference was held on SHU’s South Orange Campus, in Bethany Hall, on April 25, 2023. Approximately 40 people attended. For more information, please visit https://www.shu.edu/catholic-studiesdepartment/news/faith-in-ukraine-a-witness-to-war.cfm
o Participated via Zoom in sessions of the National Newman Conference, Integrity, Authenticity, Mentorship: St. John Henry Newman, in honor of The Rev. John T. Ford, C.S.C.,
sponsored by The Saint John Henry Newman Association and held at The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, from August 3 to 5, 2023.
o As a board member emeritus, participated via Zoom in the Board of Directors meeting of The Saint John Henry Newman Association, held at The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, on August 4, 2023.
❖ Gregory Y. Glazov, D.Phil. (Oxon.), Professor and Chair of Biblical Studies, as previously reported, delivered “Monsignor John M. Oesterreicher’s Use of Scripture and Rabbinic Writings in Reflecting on the Shoah.” Brief presentation of Dr. Glazov’s University Research Council grant project, conducted as part of SHU’s Petersheim Academic Exposition 2023 Research Showcase, on April 26, 2023. Approximately 15 people attended virtually. A recording of the Faculty Research Showcase now is available at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6dF5dteiS4
❖ Patrick R. Manning, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology, and Director of the Seton Hall University Center for Catholic Studies:
o As previously reported, delivered “Harvesting the Treasures of Contemplative Christianity for Contemporary Catholic Education.” Brief presentation of Dr. Manning’s University Research Council grant research and outcomes, conducted as part of SHU’s Petersheim Academic Exposition 2023 Research Showcase, on April 26, 2023.
Six people attended in person and approximately 30 people attended virtually. A recording of the Faculty Research Showcase now is available at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6dF5dteiS4
o Presented “They Grow Up (and Leave) So Fast: Responsive Religious Education for Disaffiliating Youth.” Paper, at the Annual Meeting of the Religious Education Association, conducted online, on July 12, 2023. Approximately 24 people attended Dr. Manning’s presentation virtually. Dr. Manning’s paper addresses concretely and contextually the questions of how religious education is shaped and who does the shaping, discussing them with an eye to current experiences of ministering with young people at the boundaries of religious affiliation. Following an exercise in listening pastorally to young people, the paper builds on recent work on pastoral accompaniment to present an approach to religious education in parishes and schools that is dialogical and responsive to the existential, psychological, and spiritual needs of young learners.
❖ Eric M. Johnston, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Undergraduate Theology, presented “The Place of the Physics in Summa Theologiae.” Paper, at the International Medieval Congress, held at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, on May 12, 2023. Approximately 20 people attended Dr. Johnston’s presentation.
❖ Timothy P. Fortin, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Chair of Philosophical Theology, participated in the Academy of Catholic Theology Annual Meeting, held at the Dominican House of Studies, Washington, DC, from May 23 to 25, 2023.
❖ Ellen R. Scully, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Chair of Undergraduate Theology, participated in the Academy of Catholic Theology Annual Meeting, held at the Dominican House of Studies, Washington, DC, from May 23 to 25, 2023.
❖ Seton Hall University hosted the International Conference of the Society of Catholic Scientists, on the University’s South Orange campus, from June 2 to 4, 2023. Approximately 100 scientists from around the world attended. The conference included presentations on topics ranging from physical cosmology to evolutionary biology to endocrinology. Assisting with planning and execution of the conference were the faculty leaders of the SHU chapter of the Society of Catholic Scientists: Reverend Joseph R. Laracy, S.T.D., Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology, and Adjunct Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science; Reverend Gerald J. Buonopane, Ph.D., Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Adjunct Professor of Theology, and Minister to the Priest Community; and Jose L. Lopez, Ph.D., Professor of Physics.
Other Scholarly and Professional Activity
❖ Justin M. Anderson, Ph.D., Professor and Chair of Moral Theology, continues service as director of Amplificamus: ICSST Faculty Collaborative Working Group, coordinating colleagues’ scholarly presentations each semester. Amplificamus is an informal, scholarly faculty collaborative group, which aims to “enlarge,” “extend,” and “develop” ICSST faculty members’ own intellectual and scholarly development, meeting in ICSST’s Lewis Hall. In this group, faculty members take turns presenting their current research, in progress or completed, to fellow faculty from a variety of scholarly backgrounds. This task is one of the greatest services the faculty can render to God, one another, and the Church, to which an alternative denotation of the Latin “amplificamus” also bears witness when its meaning becomes “to praise loudly.” Approximately 5-10 faculty members attend each session. Meetings for academic year 2022-2023 were as follows:
o Reverend Paweł Tomczyk, Ph.D., Director of Pastoral Formation, and Assistant Professor of Moral Theology, presented on his research project “Dignitatis Sacerdotalis: Moral Implications,” on October 24, 2022.
o Reverend Christopher M. Ciccarino, K.C.H.S., S.S.L., S.T.D., Associate Dean for Seminary and Academic Studies, and Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies, presented on his sabbatical research project, “Christ, Our Passover, Was Sacrificed: Exploring a Pauline Reality,” on December 1, 2022. This “Happy Hour Amplificamus” presentation was cosponsored by SHU’s Center for Faculty Development.
❖ Timothy P. Fortin, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Chair of Philosophical Theology, served as a dissertation committee member for a doctoral candidate at Teachers College, Columbia University, NYC. The candidate’s dissertation topic was “An Integrated Life: Catholic Education of Girls for Motherhood.” Dr. Fortin read and reviewed the dissertation and, on April 3, 2023, participated in the doctoral defense. The candidate’s defense was successful and she was awarded a doctoral degree.
❖ Reverend Monsignor Gerard H. McCarren, S.T.D., Rector/Dean, and Associate Professor of Systematic Theology, from February 2022 through August 11, 2023, served as a reader on the dissertation committee (consisting of a director and two readers) of Macrina Reyes, Ph.D. candidate in Health Sciences, from Seton Hall University’s School of Health and Medical Sciences, for her dissertation titled “A Phenomenological Study of Faith in Catholic Persons Living with the Diagnosis of Cancer.” Dr. Reyes was awarded a doctoral degree in August 2023.
❖ Joseph P. Rice, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Philosophical Theology, reviewed a booklength manuscript for The Catholic University of America Press, during academic year 20222023.
❖ Reverend Christopher M. Ciccarino, K.C.H.S., S.S.L., S.T.D., Associate Dean for Seminary and Academic Studies, and Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies, served on the Committee for the Association of Theological Schools Comprehensive Revision of the Annual Report Forms, in October 2022.
❖ Reverend Monsignor Thomas G. Guarino, K.H.S., S.T.D., Professor Emeritus of Systematic Theology, participated in a meeting of the bilateral ecumenical initiative Evangelicals and Catholics Together (ECT), in Colorado Springs, CO, on June 5, 2023 The topic under discussion was “The Nature of the Church ”